Gordon Planes

Chief of T’Sou-ke Nation and Clean Energy Innovator

Gordon Planes (Hya-Quatcha) has been the elected chief of T’Sou-ke Nation on southern Vancouver Island since 2008 and has embarked on a 100-year process to build a new community vision that focuses on autonomy, food and water security, language revitalization, and economic development. He is secretary of Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council and also serves as a director on the Lands Advisory Board which oversees First Nations land management across Canada. Chief Planes was one of the core members of the Indigenous Circle of Experts for the Pathway to Canada Target 1 and is leading the development of an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) that spans T’Sou-ke’s entire traditional territory. Under his leadership, T’Sou-ke Nation has emerged as one of Canada’s leaders in sustainable development, renewable energy and green infrastructure. T’Sou-ke is listed as the most solar-intensive community in Canada.

Chief Gordon Planes headshot 1

Other Team Members

IPCA Education & Food Systems Coordinator
Lauren Bernardi joins the IISAAK OLAM Foundation after connecting with co-founder Eli Enns through her Master's degree course work at the UN University for ...
Director of Communications
Kristy Tomkinson is a thoughtful and conscientious collaborator who is passionate about storytelling that inspires curiosity, creates meaningful connections, and advances social justice. She ...
Director
Joseph (Joe) Martin has spent decades mastering the art of traditional ƛaʔuukʷiatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) canoe carving. ...
President of the Board and West Coast IPCA Conservation Director
Terry is from TLA-O-QUI-AHT FIRST NATIONS from the House of Hi-you-eah which is represented by the SEITCHER family. In 2003, when he got married ...
Education and International Relations
Dr. Soudeh Jamshidian is a passionate leader, experienced in crafting dynamic and creative solutions for addressing environmental and social justice challenges. She is a ...
IISAAK OLAM Foundation Co-Founder and CEO, Vice President of the Board
Eli Enns is an internationally recognized expert in Indigenous-led conservation. From Tla-o-qui-aht Nation on his father’s side, and of Dutch Mennonite heritage on his ...
Goldman Environmental Prize Recipient
Marilyn Baptiste is a former councillor and former Chief of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation in British Columbia, one of the six First Nations ...
Director
Jeremy Williams is an award winning filmmaker with 25 years of experience producing grassroots documentary films. ...
Ethical Space Education Coordinator
Candice Steven is a passionate outdoor enthusiast with over two decades’ experience leading outdoor adventures and nature connection activities and learning opportunities for youth ...
Officer of the Order of Canada
Dr. John Borrows is one of the world’s leading scholars on Indigenous law. Dr. Borrows is a full professor of law at the University ...
Chief of T’Sou-ke Nation and Clean Energy Innovator
Gordon Planes (Hya-Quatcha) has been the elected chief of T’Sou-ke Nation on southern Vancouver Island since 2008 and has embarked on a 100-year process ...
CEO and Founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Centre of Indigenomics
Carol Anne Hilton, MBA is the CEO and Founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Centre of Indigenomics. Carol Anne is a dynamic ...
Research and Engagement Coordinator
Isabel's interests can mostly be pinned at the intersections between community planning, ecology, and regenerative economic development. ...
IPCA Planning and Research Lead
Dr. Justine Townsend holds a cross-appointed position with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation (IOF) and Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute. ...
OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Mackenzie graduated from the University of Victoria with a B.Sc. (Honours) in geography and environmental studies. Before joining the IISAAK OLAM Foundation, Mackenzie’s education ...
Tla-o-qui-aht Elder and Cultural Educator
Levi Martin was born in Opitsaht, a Tla-o-qui-aht Nation village on Meares Island, on the west coast of Vancouver Island near Tofino. As a ...
Award-Winning Producer, Author, Director and Scriptwriter
Barbara Todd (Metis/Cree), owner of Aarrow Productions, Inc., is a producer, author, documentary director and scriptwriter. She is the daughter of Judy Todd (Sharp) ...
IPCA Infrastructure and Systems Design
Eric is a PhD candidate in Civil Engineering at the University of Victoria. His position with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation is made possible by ...
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Monica is a highly strategic, creative, and solutions-oriented leader, acknowledged for her ability to transform visions, concepts and ideas into successful programs and initiatives. ...
Cross-Cultural Relations Coordinator
Anaïs Brusel is an aspiring leader and entrepreneur in Transpersonal Psychology, dedicated to inner healing and community development. Hailing from Northern France, she embodies ...